Butt joint construction



Aus-14,1y934 w. B. FOSTER 1,970,422

BUTT JOINT CONSTRUCTION Filed Deo. 29, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR l 13 A58 gw a a k A ATTORNEY S Aug. 14, 1934. w. B. FOSTER BUTT JOINT CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 29, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvENToR ATTORNEYS ug. 14, 1934. W. B. FOSTER 1,970,422

BUTT JOINT CONSTRUCTION Filed Deo. 29, 19152A b 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1| Il Il II Il Il Il Il C11/wam @dwg o mm & @3v/WM@ ATTORN EYS Patented Aug. 14, 1934 YQUNITED STA TES . BUTT JOINT CONSTRUCTION wiuiam '1a. roster. Utica, N. assigner. to Foster p Brothers j Manufacturing 1 Company, Utica, N. Y., a corporation"y of New `lfork Application December 29, 1932. Serial No.t649,364

' ,2 claims. (o1. 18s-536i This invention relates to butt joints for metal construction members such as angle iron,vchan nel iron and other structure members such as those that are T-shaped or I-shaped in cross section and even construction members that are tubular in cross section.

The purpose of my present invention is to provide a new and improved butt jointfor such metal 'construction members and particularly to provide a joint which is made without rivets or bolts and without Welding and by the use ordinarily, but not necessarily of, a single coupling member of simple and economical ccnstruction adapted to be readily formed and shaped to the desired stage of the' unit and then adapted to be easily but permanently attached to the portions of twolsuch metal construction members that have been placed in abutting position and which abutting constructionmembers have-no special shaping of the ends thereof except the providing `of an aperture in each construction member spaced from the Vbutt extremities of each member so as to provide aA shoulder to. receive a projection upon the coupling member.`

A .further purpose is to provide a butt joint construction where the metal construction members have to be treated orshaped or worked over to the minimum extent to receive saidcoupler so as not only to require little work-upon the construction members but also so as not tol weaken in any appreciable degree the strength or` rigidity of said construction members 'and further to provide a butt ljoint of the type nien'- toned where` the' coupler member with-"slight modications of its size land form may be applied to various forms and types and sizes' of construction members so as to'obtainA a joint construction embodying this invention and whichhas the Vfeatures of not only holding they construction members in abutting alignment with `strength and rigidity but also of `giving said 'joint suicient strength to resist relative endwlse displacement of themetal construction' this invention and not as limiting my-invenfrom the specification and' tion to use upon bed spring frames or spring bed structuresflt will be obvious that theinvention in many of its forms or equivalent forms can b'e used in a great variety of places.

Fig. 1 is a top View on a greatly reduced scale of a bed spring frame equipped at one end with one form` of a completed joint embodying this invention and at the other end of the frame havinggthe ends of the-two pieces of angleiron of'theframe shaped to receive the coupling member .or coupler.

Figs.- 2 and '3' are isometric projections respectively of the two'pieces of angle-iron that are to 'be connected by` the butt joint formed according to what Ivwill calll the rst form of this invention.`

Fig. 4 is a cabinet projection of the coupling memberor' coupler as shaped and originallyv applied to the ends of the angle-iron members shown' in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 isa top ViewV of the two ends of the two piecesof angle-iron shown in Figs. 2 and 3 as brought together vpreliminary to applying the coupler. j v

Fig 6 is a 'similar view of said angle-irons with the coupler in the position it occupies when rst applied to the pieces of angle-iron.

f Fig-'7 is'atop'view of the parts shown in Fig. 6 after the coupler has been closed and the joint completed. l

Fig. l8V is a vertical sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig'. 6.7k

Fig. 9-i`s avertical sectional view on line 9--9 ofFig17.-f-

Fig. 91/2wispa pattern view on a reduced scale of a piece "of4 sheet metal cut and punched to forma coupler fr'thi's first form of my invention, dotted lines being shown across the width of the pattern to indicate where the bends or folds" are to be subsequently made.

' Fig'. v10- is' an isometric view of the abutted end portions "of ,two angle iron members that are to be connected by a coupler to form a butt joint of another or the second form of this invention. Fig.l 11` is afperspective view of the coupler particularly adapted for use with the parts shown in Fig.'l0.

- Figs. 12 and 13 are'cross-sectional views-similar to Figs. 8 and 9 respectively but having the coupler shown-'i'nFig' '11 applied to the two angle iron'rails shown in Fig. 10, said sectional Views being'on line 124-12 of Fig. 10.

' Fig. 14 is an isometric projection of the two abutted 'end portions of two channel-shaped construction members shapedto form a butt joint my invention.

Referring to the 'drawings in a more particular channel members of Fig. 14 after the coupler has been applied and bent to completed form to make a joint of this type.

Fig. 18 is a cross sectional View lon'l'ir'ie'12S-$18 of Fig. 17. V

Fig. 19 is a pattern or "plan View `oigafcoueA pling members adapted to be applied tochannel members oi the form shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional View #of fthis--modii`1ed form of coupler after the butt joint -has .been

completed to form this further method'o'r fourth form of this .inventiomv n .Figl '21 `is k an isometric projectionfof the abutted ends of two T-shaped'constructi-on mem-y bers shaped and assembled .preparatory toformi' ing a further modified or fifth form of this in- Vention. -j Fig. 22 kis va plan or pattern 'view-of the coupler especially adapted to fbe. `used withthe T- shaped members shown -in Fig.. 21. v ,Fig 23 is la .cross-sectional,- View as on .line 23-23 of Fig. 21 showing thecoupler aspre,- liminarily formed andhrst applied to the -T- shaped rnembensv of Fig. 21andFig. .24 isa similaicross sectional View Vof said parts after the joint has been coinpletelyassembled by bending the coupler.

Fig. 25 is an isometric projection of the abutted ends ofrtwo I-shaped metalcon-struction members shaped and assembled to illustrate a 5 still further or sixth form oilily-invention..

Fig. 26 is a pattern wiew of fone .formyof a couplery that is particularly adapted ,to be: used with the -.shaped members of Fig. .25.- 1

Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional View showing the completed joint -orfmedby applying the `icoupler ofyFig. 26, to the parts shown in .Fig A25, t;he

section being von line 27- i- 27 of Fig. Z 5.

28 and 29 illustrate a further .or sei/ tenth form ofk my invention,- Fig.28 being atransverse sectional View similar to Fig..zilbutyusingtwo special couplers 'or which-Fig. 29;.is a plalnwiew.

Fig. 30 is a cabinet projection of one o ftwo.

similar tubular construction member-s .thatv be used according to an eighth modied-.iform of a cabinet View -.of the special Coupling member-t0 .be used with tubes shown in Fig. 30.

v-Figr. 32 is a transverse sectional showing 5' the joint formed by the partsishownfinFigs. .3 0

1n Fig. 32 the vfull .lines ssl-row the position- .of the parts when the joint .is fcompleted- .the dotted .line position -of the-coupler in .an intermediate -state of application.r Y

description and first to the irst form oftl:1 e lfinvention shown in Figs. 1 to SilgitW-illfibeseen that .this 1joint construction .is composed of, .the

opposing `ends fof 'the twoepieces'of angle-iron` i 11 and-12 which `are to be lconnected and-thebled .upon the pieces of angle iron. In order 11a-nd 12g ceuplingvmernber or coupler 1-3. i .1 f

The ends oi thetwoangle-irons that are to be :connectedareshaped preferably by rthe ends being .square so -as to abutt reach. other iii-.alignment @Inseln-.. Theke@ edgeV :14.

of the corresponding web, say the horizontal web 15 of each angle-iron is provided with a shallow but relatively long recess 16. These recesses are spaced from the end of each of said Webs leaving on said web a lug 17 of the original metal and extending to the near end of the angle iron. The face of this lug towards the recess reforms a shoulder 18 which is at a. denite distance from the end of the angle-iron for the purpose hereafter explained.

The coupling member 13 is formed from a suitable` piece of sheet metal of the proper 'thickness and strength according to the size and character -ofthe angle-irons or other construcapproximately of the proportion and shape `vshow-n by v`thepat-tern*View Fig. 91/2 and at this stageofits formation it is provided near one end with a crosswise extending aperture 19. The .lengith of the 'aperture equals the length of. :the two lugs..17 of the pair of angle-irons thatlare .to be connected or in other words the. length -of :said vaperture :equals the Adistance betwoenqthe two shoulders 18 of thev angle-irons when brought together as Ashown in Fig. 5; The partly form-ed coupler shown in Fig. 91/2 is then bent crosswise along the three dotted lines indicated Fig. 91/2 so :as to form the three bends Z0, 21 and 22 indicated. particularly in Figs. :4 'and 8 of the drawings and dividing .the coupler into four zones por plates 23, 24, 25 .and 26. ,The `angle at the -oentral bend 2l .is considerably zgrieater than a right angle while the angles formed at the bends 20 Aand 22are prefer'ably and. conveniently slightly less than a right angle.` :The coupler is .now ready to be placed in position :a pair *ofv abutted angle-irons. arranged and :shaped yas :shown .in Figs. 2 .to 5. The coupling is placed npon .said pair of .angleirons as .shown vpz'irticularly in Figs. 6 'and 8;

that-is with. one 4of the large zones or plates,v

namely; plate `.25 of the. coupler .resting down upon the outside ior top face oi' the horizontal web 15 of both angle-irons with the two lugs .17 extending :into and commonly projecting slightly through theysingle aperture 1:9 of .the coupling. The material of the vcoupler :at the opposite ends o-f-the yaperture 19 along the .bend 22 fits down into two shallow recesses of the opposite angle-irons andthe narrow 'zone 26 beyond this bendY faces V; slightly towards the. inner or lower surface 'asthe parts are ishown in the drawings of A:the horizontal Webs .15 and the other Wide zone for; plate 24 of the coupler. extends dow-n outside. the vertical :web .27 of the rtwo langle-V irons, .=but. as yet is vspaced therefrom more -or less lat the :angle indicated in Fig. '8.

It will be understood that in :any set of parts to. bei termed ginto. one of these Ajoint constructions the two lugs 17 and the aperture 19 to be entered 'by said lugs will be so proportioned and formed as. to make a relatively tight fit of the shouldersl of 'said lugs against the kopposite ends 28 of the aperture 19. The necessityfor this is Vthat the engagement of these shoulders of the lug-s against theends of said aperture of the coupler is relied upon to positively hold the ltwo kpieces vof angle-iron closely in abutting position when the coupler has been fully assemto prevent sag,r the strength of the coupler at the joint is at least equal to that of the angle.

The next step or more properly series of .steps in -assembling the coupleris to :bend the central angle 21 fromA theobtuse angle shown in Fig. 8 to the right angle shown in Fig. 9; that is so that the wide zone '24 will beV flat against the outer surface of the'vertical web 27 Aof `both `pieces of angle-iron. vDuring this `movement lshown in Fig. 9. Similarly; the projecting portion of the narrow zone or flange 26 projecting beyond the recesses 16 is bent over closely against the inner 0r under surface of the horizontal web l1li-of both pieces of angle-iron.

It will now be seen that the two pieces of angle-iron are closely and tightly encircled by the coupling to the extent of the upper surface of the horizontal web and the outer surface of the vertical web and also about the two edges of the angle-iron and for an appreciable distance in from said free edges along both inner surfaces of the angle-irons. The main right angle bend in the coupling and the two U-shaped bends at the opposite ends of the coupling, that is the parts-engaging theedges of the angleiron, make the'coupling very rigid and stiff to prevent any tendencyof strain upon the angleirons bending or distorting the coupler. Longitudinalmovement of the angle irons away from each other is prevented positively as already mentioned by the engagement of the shoulders 18 of lugs 17 with the ends of the aperture 19. As the aperture 19 is a relatively small narrow hole in integral metal this part of the coupler forms a link well adapted to hold the two angleirons from relative lengthwise movement apart from each other. It will be understood further that the bending or"l the coupler from the position andshape shown in Figs. 4 and 8 to the position and. shape shown in Fig. 9 makes a tight contact and a frictional engagement between the encircling coupling Vand the engaged faces and edges of the'two pieces of angle-iron and thus helps to form a very rigid joint free from initial looseness and well adapted to retain such rigidity-permanently.

It will be understood .that for the sake of deniteness and for illustrative purposes I have shownin thefdrawings and described in the specification hereinthe recesses 16 as being located on the free edge of the horizontal .web but it is'obvious that these recesses and the lugs 17 may be upon the free edge of the vertical web and that this" could be so whether the ver'- tical web is directed downwardly as the parts are shown in the drawingsvherein or whether the vertical web extended upwardly from the horizontal web. 1t is'fcbvious that this last change of location would amount simply to a turningvof the jointshownin Fig. 9 one hundred eighty degrees tothe right or left' on the longitudinal axis of the joint. 4

Inthe vsecondlicrm of joint embodying. this invention and shown'in Figs. 16 to 13, the' anglev iron members 29 have on one web,` say the horizontal web 36, an aperture which instead of a recess as inthe former eXemplicatio-n of the invention is an elongated hole 31 spaced back from the abutting extremities ofthe angle iron constructionmembers 29 so as to leave the faces 32 of each hole nearest the extremity of the construction member. The coupler 33 is formed in the main as in the rst form of my invention, but instead of having simply a hole the coupler has a slot 34 cut or formedv in the proper edge of the coupling so as to )leave o-n each side thereof a projecting nger 35. The edge of the original metal of the coupling at the opposite sides of this slot form faces 36. The coupler 33 having been cut in the proper shape and form and preferably bent up to the intermediate stage shown in Fig. 1l, is placed in position' upon the abutted Iangle irons 29 by passing kthe iingers 35 into the two ho1es31 of the two angle iron members bringing the three parts to the relative position shown in Fig. 12. It will be understood that the holes 31 are so placed relative to the extremities of the `two angle construction members as to have the faces 32 closely engaged by the respective faces 36 of the fingers 35k of the coupler. The iitting'fof these parts in this Way it will be obvious presents a positive mechanical means for preventing relative `endwise displacement oi the two members 29 after the bends preliminarily formed in the coupling' 33 as shown in Fig. 11 have been furtherbent to have `the different zones of the coupler engage the outer surfaces of the two webs of the angle irons and'with the uncut lower portion of the coupler bentaround the lower or free edge of the vertical web and engage the inner'surface of this web. In a similar way the-ends of the fingers `35 that project through the holes v31 are bent inwardly to engage the under or inner surface of the horizontal web 30. The `parts will then assume the relative position shown in the sectional view Fig. 13. It will be Seen that this coupling by engaging the stated surfaces and edges ofthe two angle members will hold said members in direct alignment and any possible endwise movement of said angle members will be prevented by the engagement of the faces 36 of the coupler against the faces 32 of the angle members. It will be seen that this second form is in the main an' equivalent construction of the first form and thatthe forming 120 of the coupler with ngers thereon to project into holes in the body-of a web of the angle iron still gets faces upon the' angle iron that face away from the abutting extremities to be engaged by faces 'of the coupler facing towards 125 the abutting edges of the joint.V i

In the form of'my invention shown in- Figs. 14 to 18 the construction members are channelshaped members 37 and in both flanges 38 and 39 there is formed or made a recessr 40 similar 13C to that described with theangle iron asshown in the rst form of the invention. These 'recesses r40 leave integral projecting lugs 41 on each flange adjacent theabutting ends of the channel members ready to takethe strain upon 135 the shoulders 42. i

The coupler 43 for this 'third form of butt joint is preferably formed from a suitable piece of sheet metal cut or formed to the shape shown in the pattern view Fig. 15 so as to have two- 146 pairs of ngers 44'arranged to enter the four recesses 40 and with said ngers 44 having their inner edges form abutments45 to engagek respectively the four. shoulders 42. YPreferably previous to the parts being assembled the 145 coupler 43 will `be bent to the transverse shape indicated inFig. 16, that is the coupler will be partly bent at .the lines where the ultimate bends are to be made so as to aid in placing the coupler upon the channel irons and leaveonly the mini- 15,5

this fourth modification. gets four mum of further bending of the coupler thatis required to then complete the joint intothe form shown inFigs. 17 and 18. It will be noticed that this third form yo-fmy invention illustrates two variations over previous forms. I One variation v'is that the co-operati-ng shoulders 42 upon the construction members and the oo -operating faces or abutments` as `upon the vcoupler formed from recesses inthe `flanges of the channel members and from ,recesses'formed in two opposite edges of the coupler. In other words, these (1o-operating shoulders and abutments which prevent relative. longitudinal displacement of the construction members brought to,- getherin the joint can be obtained without the use of a'complete hole as in the coupler of the iirst form of my invention and without the use of a complete 'hole as in the angle bars of the second, form of my invention.l f

The second Variation illustrated in this third form of myl inventionr is that in the complete joint there are four co-operating shoulders 42 and iour co-operating abutments 45 instead of two such co-operating shoulders and faces or abutments as were used in the iirst and second form of my invention. It will be seen that this is brought about through both flanges of the two channel-shaped members'being positively held together kagainst longitudinal displacement as compared with one Aflange of the angler iron being so positively directlyA held as in the two forms of my invention designated herein as the iirst and second forms. It will be obvious, how.-

ever, that if Adesiredonly one set of the flanges ,'o-f the channel-shaped members maybe prol view thereof, Fig. 19, with two oppositely placed elongated holes 47. This coupler is to be used with abutting channel shaped-members having the-'four upstanding lugs 41 and the four holding shoulders 42 asgshown in fFig. 14. The holes,47

L', are shaped and formed to each receive an abutting pair of lugs 41 and the opposite ends of each`hole47 form` an abutment l48 .to engage one of the shoulders 42. It will be steen that this coupler 46 is placed with its central kportion `j against the free edges rofv the two flanges of thechannel-shaped-member as shown in Fig.

20 and then theends'oi the `coupler are closed against the' outer surfaces-of -the -anges ofl the channel-shaped membersV and the extremities are turned at right angles closely .against the outer or lower surface of the main plate of the channel-shaped members. When" the joint is completed it appears as shownin the transverse sectional ViewFig. 20. It will :be noted that holding shoulders and four (so-operating abutments and holds free edges vof both-flanges of the channelshaped member from longitudinal displacement;

this invention.

In vFigs. 21-24 there is shown 'a fifth form of In this formthe` joint is used with T-shaped members 49 and the free end of lbers so :asto providethe holding .shoulders 52 on= thelugs 52'.. As origin-allymade the coupling for this ijoint is shown `in the patternview thereof, Eig. 22, with a hole 53 -shaped and sizedito re- .Ceive thereinto closely the two adjacent upstandingglugs 52. The metal at the ends of the hole ,53 for-m theco-operating abutments 54. to rit-against the said shoulders 52. The partlybent coupler 55 will be placed upon the abutted T-shaped construction members as -indicatedin the transverse sectional view 23 with the flugs v52"projecting into the hole53. -Then theY 'extremities 56 of the coupler will be bent in against the exterior or lower face of the plate of a Tf-shaped member as indicated in Fig. 24, completing the finishing .of the joint. Y

Figs. 25-27 illustrate the sixth formgor modifeation of my invention.- In this `construction the joint 'is formed by the two abutting ends of I-,beams or members 57. In this form the top plate 58 of each member on the same side, say the further side, as seen in Fig. ,25, is provided with an aperture in the for-m of a recess 59 providing'a holding shoulder 60 which .is spaced back from the extreme ,abutting ends of the constructionl member. A similar .recess 6l with a holding shoulder 62 is provided upon one edge, say the near edge of the other` or lower plate 63 v.of the I-beam members 57.- The forming of the recesses 59 leave integral lugs 64 on said top `plateand the forming of the recesses 61 upon the bottom plate leave integral lugs 65 upon said lower plate. .'hecoupler for use with this sort of a joint 'is originally formed as shown in the pattern view thereof., Fig. 26. Towards the center of the 4coupler there is provided or formed the elongated hole 66 to receive thereinto the two lugs 64 of the top plate of the I- bea-rn. The materia-l lof the coupler at the opposite ends 4of the hole 66 form the abutment 67 to closelyengage the shoulders of the top plate. Upon the proper end of this coupler 68 there is cut or formed a recess 69 leaving projecting ngers 70 on each side thereof, the inner edges of which form the abutments 71. The recess 69 is'shaped to receivingly fit the pair of lugs 65 while the lingers 70 are to be turned or rolled.- `into the recesses 61 of the Ylower plate. It will be obvious then that the abutment 71 will :co-operate with the two shoulders 62 on the lugs 65 of the lower pla-te. The joint when completed by the proper bending and turning of thecoupler A68 along the dotted'lines of Fig. 26l will produce a joint as indicated v,in the cross-sectional View, Fig. 27.

lIn Figs. 28 and 29.is shown a seventh form of my invention. This is a modification of the construction shown in Figs. 25-27. seventh form the construction members to be joined are I-shaped members or beams as shown in Fig. `25 and said beams are provided with the recesses, lugs and holding shoulders as indicated in said Fig. 25. The variation ,consists in the use of two separate and similar couplers 72. These'are originally formed as indicated in the pattern View thereof Fig. .27. Each one of these couplers is constructed to t around the topi or bottom plate of the I-shaped members 57. `It will `be seen that the coupler 72 accordingly needs to be inerfect the right hand two-fifths of the coupler 68 shown in Fig. 26. In other words, the coupler 72has at its proper edge a recess 73 leaving integral strong fingers 74 von each side thereof the inner edges of which forml the abutments 75 to co-operate with the shoulders 60 of the top plate orone coupler while In this' the said abutments 75 upon the lower coupler co-operate with the holding shoulder 62 of the lower plate of the I-beam. When the two couplers have been assembled on their respective top and bottom plates and folded thereabout to iinal position the joint in transverse section will appear as in Fig. 28. It is to be observed that in this variation of my invention two couplers are used to form one joint.

Figs. 30-32 illustrate my invention in a still further or eighth form of the invention. In this construction the construction members to be united by a butt joint are two similar tubular members 76 of which only one is shown in a cabinet projection view, Fig. 30. Spaced back from the end 77 of each tube '76 there are provided two longitudinally extending slots 78. The original material of the tube at the end of the slot 78 toward the end of the tube 77 forms the holding shoulder 79 in this construction. The slots 78 will preferably be spaced apart about half way the circumference of the tube 76. The coupler 80 for this joint is shown in cabinet projection in Fig. 31 in the shape it assumes when closed. When originally formed and iirst applied to the two ends of the tube 76, however, the coupler 80 will be more or less in the form of a semi-circle as indicated in the dotted lines in Fig. 32. The coupler 80 is provided with two spaced oppositely disposed pairs of longitudinally aligned inwardly projecting fingers 8l. Preferably these will be formed by punching out three sides of holes 82 and bending the material so obtained inwardly along the line 83 at the fourth side of the hole to form the fingers 81. The coupler 80 will be assembled upon the abutting tubes by being first placed in the dotted line position of Fig. 2 and then having its curved portions wrapped closely about the outer surface of each tube. This will bring the four projecting fingers 81 into their respective cooperating slots 78 of the two tubes. The end of each ringerl S1 toward the abutting ends of the two tubes will form an abutment 84 closely engaging the holding shoulders 79 of each slot 78.

It will be obvious that many variations may be made by varying the diierent forms of my invention as herein illustrated without departing from the spirit of my invention as pointed out in the claims hereto annexed.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A butt joint construction for angle iron consisting of two pieces of similar angle-iron, having their opposing ends butted against each other and each having an edge of an aligned web pro-vided with a shallow recess spaced from the near end or the angle-iron and leaving adjacent the end of the web a projecting lug and a sheet-metal coupling member bent intermediate its length to form two plates respectively fitting against the outer sides of the webs of the angle-iron, the end of one plate being bent about the edge and part way back upon the inner side oi the unrecessed webs and the other end of the coupler` being provided back from its extremity and intermediate its width with an aperture in length the same as the distance between the non-adjacent sides of said lugs and into which said lugs project, the parts of said plate beyond the ends 'oi the aperture being bent closely into said notches and said plate beyond said bend engaging the inner side of the notched webs.

2. In combination two pieces of abutting angle-iron, each having an edge of an aligned web provided with a shallow recess spaced from the near end of the angle-iron and leaving adjacent the end of the web a projecting lug and a sheet-metal coupling member bent intermediate its length to form two plates respectively fitting against the outer sides of the webs oi the angle-dron, the end of one plate being bent about i Athe ends of the aperture being bent closely intov said notches and said plate beyond said bend engaging the inner side of the notched webs.

WILLIAM B. FOSTER. 

